NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Jordan Poole, Warriors-Pelicans, Spurs-Mavericks and More)
By Peter Dewey
The NBA regular season comes to an end on Sunday, and while we still have playoff basketball to look forward to, this is still a bittersweet day for us NBA junkies.
That being said, I'm going to close out the season strong with not one, not two but FOUR picks to make in the regular season finales going on tonight.
Let's jump right into today's picks:
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record: 181-168-5 (-2.2888 units)
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
NBA Best Bets Today
- Toronto Raptors-New York Knicks UNDER 216 (-110)
- San Antonio Spurs +10.5 vs. Dallas Mavericks (-110)
- Golden State Warriors -5 vs. New Orleans Pelicans (-110)
- Jordan Poole OVER 32.5 Points. Rebounds and Assists (-115)
Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks: UNDER 216 (-110)
The Knicks are down RJ Barrett, Randle and could be without Mitchell Robinson in this game. With a loss benefitting New York more than a win, does Tom Thibodeau have enough of a rotation to pull off an upset?
There’s a chance the Raptors sit OG Anunoby (questionable) and Fred VanVleet in this game, but the Knicks’ offense is going to be hurting without both Barrett and Randle.
I can’t see a Tom Thibodeau led team just mailing it in to end the season, but I’m not a fan of the 5.5-point spread since we haven’t seen this Knicks team at all without its two leading scorers this season.
That leads me to the UNDER, as these two teams are 29th (Knicks) and 27th (Raptors) in pace this season. If so many key offensive players are out, I expect a methodical game with a lot more missed shots than we’re used to.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks: Spurs +10.5 (-110)
Even without Dejounte Murray in the lineup lately, the Spurs always seem to keep games close, either winning or losing by fewer than seven points in each of their last 10 games.
I think that trend continues on Sunday, as the Spurs have a bunch of young players that they are still getting looks at as this season draws to a close.
With the team looking at an uphill battle to make it out of the play-in tournament in the West, the Spurs are going to want some momentum entering the postseason.
As for Dallas, I expect it to show up still with something to play for, but I don’t see the Mavs’ slow paced offense (last in the NBA) blowing out this Spurs team.
Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Warriors -5 (-110)
The Golden State Warriors need a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday to lock up the No. 3 seed in the West, and there’s a chance they won’t have to face Brandon Ingram (questionable).
Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Iguodala are out, while Klay Thompson will play after sitting out the Warriors’ win over the San Antonio Spurs.
I love the Warriors in this spot, as there is a clear motivation advantage to avoid having to face the Suns before the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State has won four straight games to hold off the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 3 spot, and I expect Thompson’s presence to help carry Golden State to another win in this one.
The Pels are going to play the Spurs in the first round of the play-in tournament regardless of Sunday’s outcomes, so I don’t see the motivation behind taking them to cover such a short spread.
The Warriors’ defense has improved over their last 10 games, ranking No. 3 in the NBA over that stretch. I think that and Thompson gives Golden State the edge in this one.
Jordan Poole OVER 32.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-115)
Speaking of the Warriors, Jordan Poole has been absolutely fantastic since Steph Curry went down with a foot injury, as he’s averaging 26.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game over his last 11 games.
Poole is projected 32.5 points, rebounds and assists tonight, a number that he has cleared in nine of 11 games since the Curry injury.
Since the Warriors need to win this game, I think Poole plays a major role for the entirety and puts up another impressive performance.